Barnabas, Quentin And the Crystal Coffin

Barnabas, Quentin and the Crystal Coffin
by Marilyn Ross (Dan Ross)

published by Paperback Library

Copyright 1970

HOW LONG WILL

COLLINSWOOD'S

EVIL FORCES ALLOW

BETTY WARD TO SEARCH

FOR HER SISTER'S KILLER?

Heiress Betty Ward is worried about her twin sister, who has eloped with Jeremy Frene. She follows them from Paris to the Frene estate at Collinwood - but arrives too late!

Her twin is dead, victim of a mysterious illness. Her body has been sealed in a crystal coffin and kept in a darkened room. Jeremy swears that because her ghost returns to the castle each night, he refuses to bury the coffin.

Betty is convinced her sister's death was not a natural one. Jeremys aunt opposed the marriage. Her ally against the couple seems to have been Quentin Collins, a suspected werewolf.

Betty turns to Barnabas Collins for help, despite the rumors that he is a vampire. But she does not realized that by doing so, she has placed herself in mortal danger....

For a complete listing of other books in this series please turn to page two.

With such a long wait  between posts, the passing of Jonathan Frid and the release of the new movie, I though it only appropriate to post a book from everyone's favorite 60's supernatural soap opera.

Several months back I was able to add this title, along with book 26, to my series collection. 

Once again we have a woman throwing herself into the waiting arms of Barnabas Collins.  Despite rumors that he is a vampire!  Now, admittedly, woman can be rather forgiving if they find someone hot, so I find it hard to believe that she doesn't just skip the middle man and throw herself into the arms of Quentin Collins. Firstly ladies, look at that hair! (meow!) If it was me, I would just assume that if Quentin has against my sister's marriage he had his reasons and get on with the romance! Life is too short. Especially in Collinport.

But again, that's me.

Barnabas, Quentin and the Scorpio Curse - Book 23

Barnabas, Quentin and the Scorpio Curse by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

IS THE SIGN OF SCORPIO
THE MARK OF DEATH!

Terror reigns at Collinwood when several
patients at a nearby psychiatric clinic at
which Barnabas Collins is a patient are
stabbed to death. Each victim's forehead is
marked with a scorpion, the zodiacal symbol
of death.

Then Diana Collins, another relative of the
Collins family who is undergoing psychiatric
treatment at the hospital, finds a bloody knife
in her room. Diana, whose astrological sign
is Scorpio, is afraid that she may have com-
mitted the murders during one of her black-
outs. The fear that she is losing her mind is
compounded when no one will believe she has
seen a strange, wolf-like creature prowling
the grounds.

The only person who will listen to her story
is Barnabas. But how can he help her when
he too has become a suspect?

If I were to wager on the reason behind the vast number of Collins' seeking hospitalization for some unnamed psychiatric aliment, I would go with inbreeding.

Okay, so we know that Barnabas has a weird cousin fetish but, as it was recently pointed out to me, the sexual tension in Collinwood, a house that always seems to be dripping with various vagabonds from some branch of the family or other, could be cut with a knife.

You, of course, have Caroline who is a bit of a tramp but that isn't at all uncommon when a girl's daddy disappears on her. Then there's Barnabas who, after a tragic rejection by Josette, is sporting a Harvey Fierstein longing for love. But the real culprit, I think, is Quentin Collins.

Everything about that man oozes riding-crop to the ass while you're not looking. Just take a look at that cover. You totally get the feeling that David Selby and the camera man had just been up to something naughty in the props room.

What a great show!

And before you come complaining about yet another Dark Shadows paperback on WRFH, you can blame Mykal Banta's artfully crafted Gold Key Comics! blog for posting Dark Shadows issue number 28 from 1974. If you are not familiar with the thirty-five Gold Key Dark Shadows comics that were published between 1969 and 1976, incidentally running longer than the soap opera itself, now is your chance to take a peek. Just click HERE!

Also, if you are interested in viewing the 1968 set of View-Master reels of Dark Shadows click here!

Barnabas Colins and the Mysterious Ghost - Book 13

Barnabas Collins and the Mysterious Ghost Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Harper Collins Publishing
Copyright 1970

Collinwood is plagued with a series of men
acing events when a ballet troupe arrives
there to perform for the summer tourists.
One girl in particular, the beautiful Diana
Samson, who Barnabas has come to love, (of course he has)
is repeatedly attached by a mysterious, in
visible presence.

When the star of the ballet is murdered,
everyone is suspect - including Diana and
Barnabas. (of course he is) And when several graves are
found opened, the old legend of the invisible
ghost of Collinwood is revived.

As the attaches on Diana continue, Barna-
bas must find a way to stop them before she
is murdered. But will he have to fight a hu-
man enemy - or a supernatural force with
powers greater than his own?



BARNABAS COLLINS AND THE MYS-
TERIOUS GHOST is the thirteenth in a
series of thrilling novels based on ABC-TV's
popular suspense drama, DARK SHADOWS.

Apparently Collinwood is like the Motel 6 of Collinsport. Everyone comes to stay. Despite all the mysterious attacks by wolves , deaths by misadventure and flat- out, poor hospitality, they all flock to visit.

That must be one hell of a brochure.

The Demon of Barnabas Collins - Book 8

The Demon of Barnabas Collins (Dan) Ross
published by Harper Collins Publishing
Copyright 1969

The arrival of a movie company at Collin-
wood gives Barnabas a chance to escape
Angelique's awful curse - the curse which has
made him one of the living dead.

Barnabas meets and falls in love with beau-
tiful film star Rita Gleen. In order to save
him, she introduces him to the mysterious Dr.
Moreno who has a cure for Barnabas.

Barnabas is jubilant over his recover - but
not for long. Suddenly he is in a life and death
battle with another vampire - with Rita's life
at stake. The only way to save her is to return
to the curse once again.

THE DEMON OF BARNABAS COLLINS
is the eighth in a series of thrilling novels
based on ABC-TV's popular suspense drama,
DARK SHADOWS. For a complete list, see
page two of this book.

Wow, Barnabas is like a teenage boy with how easily he falls in love. Just be remotely attractive and in the same general vicinity and he's head-over-heels. He's ready to confess to you about his poorly concealed "condition", switch to your health care provider and even be willing to get re-cursed all for someone he's known for a week.

They don't mention it but I am just sure the before page forty he's broached the subject of a joint checking account.

I just got access to a couple more of the Dark Shadows earlier books. Even though this will make them a bit out of order, I wanted to included them.

One last thing, don't you think it odd that on this cover Barnabas Collins is staring at his stake and mallet like he doesn't know quite what to do with them? I mean, he's been a vampire for 200 years, it's pretty straight forward.

Barnabas, Quentin, And the Magic Potion - Book 25

Barnabas, Quentin, and the Magic Potion by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1971

Barnabas predicts trouble for Collin-
wood when Nicholas Freeze, in whose
antique shop Carolyn Stoddard works, dis-
covers a centuries-old potion that promises
eternal youth. Soon after, Mr. Freeze's
daughter Hazel, tricked into taking the
serum, dies. Carolyn is grief-stricken over
her friend's death. Barnabas insists she stay
on at the shop to watch Nicholas Freeze and
his associates, one of who Carolyn suspects
is Quentin Collins, back at Collinwood in a
disguise.

Then Carolyn sees Hazel's ghost.

She interprets this as a warning that Mr.
Freeze has marked her for his next victim.
Barnabas still refuses to let her quit.

Has Barnabas made a fatal mistake by
deliberately endangering Carolyn's life? Or
will his plan avenge Hazel's murder and put
her spirit to rest?

Why does Carolyn need a job? If she does need a job, why doesn't she work for the family? Don't they own a shipyard or something?

Not to mention the fact that the Collins family abandoned a house because it became dusty. It's hard to believe any of them really have an appreciation for antiques.

Plus, I really don't think that Barnabas needs to worry so much about Mr. Freeze. I do believe that the Dynamic Duo are already on the case.

Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened Bride - Book 22

Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened Bride by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Ann and John Hayward's honeymoon at
Collinwood slowly turns into a series of
nightmares.

Soon after their arrival, John, who is re-
covering from a war injury, falls victim to
strange, violent spells. In a fit of irrational
jealousy, he accuses his wife of falling in love
with Barnabas Collins.

Meanwhile, a series of attacks on her life
frighten Ann into believing John is trying to
kill her. Though tormented by doubts of
John's sanity, she believes his warning that
Barnabas is a vampire. Ann nevertheless
accepts help from Barnabas - and unknow-
ingly becomes the prey to the evil forces at
Collinwood!

Lets break this down, shall we.

Firstly, John Hayward is too cheap to take his wife anywhere good for their honeymoon. I see nothing romantic at all about spending ones first few weeks of marriage around a bunch of angry people you don't know. (that's for Thanksgiving)

Secondly, the only irrational thing about John's jealousy is that it is about Barnabas Collins. How can you suspect your woman of falling for Barnabas when Quentin "Man of Action" is staying in the same house. I have seen that man violently tear a decorator sword from the wall to defend himself and back HARD into a doorknob with barely a flinch. What woman wouldn't fall for that?!

Thirdly, and most importantly, Barnabas Collins is the worst vampire of all time. Why does everyone always "suspect" him of being a vampires? Because he is so painfully obvious with his "I won't be back until after sunset.", "I'll be out of town during the daylight." and "Oh, by the way, I'm not a vampire." stuff. That man really needs to learn a little about playing it close to the vest.

Barnabas, Quentin and the Nightmare Assassin - Book 18

Barnabas, Quentin and the NIghtmare Assassin by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Carolyn Stoddard is knocked unconscious
when the sports car she and Barnbas are rid-
ing in skids on a patch of ice. She regains con-
sciousness in Collinwood with Barnabas and
Quentin Collins at her side - but the year is
1870! And Collinwood is being terrorized by a
savage Killer. Carolyn likes Quentin and re-
fuses to believe that even in werewolf form he
could be the murderer. But even Quentin is
convinced of his own guilt. The old family
lawyer hires someone to kill him. Several days
later, before he can reveal the assassin's name,
the lawyer dies. Quentin has signed his own
death sentence, marked for death by an un-
known killer.

BARNABAS, QUENTIN AND THE
NIGHTMARE ASSASSIN in the eighteenth
in a series of thrilling novels based on ABC-
TV's popular suspense drama, DARK
SHADOWS. For a complete list, see page 2
of this book.

I believe I have actually read this one. But even with the moment by moment back over synopsis, I can't remember it every well. The one thing I do remember is that the "sports car" the back cover refers to is a station wagon, Barnabas, it seems, is constantly being referred to as "handsome" and Caroline seems to want to shag her own cousins. Distant or know, ick.

Best thing about this one? Take a look at the mustache on Roger! Isn't it fabulous. Now there's a real man for you!

Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's Curse - Book 16

Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's Curse by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

When Professor Anthony Collins decides
to catalog his Egyptian relics at Collinwood,
he brings with him the mummy of King Re-
hotip, who "died" over 2000 years ago.
Only the professor knows (and everyone who
just saw the quotes around the word dead)
that Rehotip is really in a state of suspended
animation. One night, the professor brings the
mummy to life. (of course he does) Suddenly a
young girl is killed. The police suspect Quentin
Collins. Maggie Evans, certain the killer is the
mummy wants to warn the police. Professor Collins
threatens to accuse Barnabas if she does.
Frightened into silence, Maggie lives in ter-
ror, wondering if she will be the next victim.

Okay, this is the Collins family. They live in Collinwood. They live in a town called Collinsport. Can't they just hush this stuff up like a Kennedy would? Surely there is benefit to being super rich, living in a house everyone in town is too spooked to go near and, most importantly of all, being the biggest employer around. I mean, what's a little bit of "the walking dead" to sixty thousand a year at the Collins family shipyard.

Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy Witch - Book 15

Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy Witch by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Warned by a gypsy witch that violent
death will surround her, Roxanna Collins
turns to her distant cousin, Barnabas, for
help.

But Barnabas is also in trouble. For when
Roxanna's father and brother are murdered
suspicion centers on Barnabas. Even Rox-
anna, who feels she is under some strange
spell, soon begins to doubt the man she has
come to love.

To save his life, Barnabas must prove to
the police - and to Roxanna - that he is inno-
cent. And he must find the key to the mad-
ness and mystery surrounding Collinwood
before Roxanne becomes the next victim in
a nightmare of evil.

BARNABAS COLLINS AND THE GYPSY WITCH is the fif-
teenth in a series of thrilling novels based on ABC-TV's
suspense drama, DARK SHADOWS.

Okay, Barnabas Collins is a vampire. Why does he care if the police as suspicious of him for a crime? Shouldn't he just kill them? I mean, if I were ever a vampire, I would just kill them. All of them. Roxanna, her father, her brother, the police. Everybody really. Then I'd kill the Gypsy Witch for revealing my agenda.

Barnabas Collins and Quentin's Demon - Book 14

Barnabas Collins and Quentin's Demon by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

IS THERE
A WEREWOLF
LOOSE AT COLLINWOOD?
WILL LARA BALFOUR
HAVE TO DIE TO FIND OUT?

When Quentin Collins invited Lara Balfour to
Collinwood, they knew each other only from the
correspondence that had grown out of Quentin's
admiration for the haunting waltz her father had
composed.

Soon Quentin professed to love Lara - but is his
love really a threat? His first wife's throat was torn
out by a wolflike creature who escaped capture.
Since then, other young women had died in the
same grisly fashion ... in the full of the moon, when
Quentin's mysterious "attacks" occur.

Lara faces the terrifying possibility that her
brooding, sensitive host is a werewolf. She won't
leave Collinwood, for that would mean leaving
Barnabas, who she has come to love. But will Bar-
nabas be able to save her, if she strays?

In 1968, when the the Dark Shadows producers began to feel that their immortal vampire wasn't as young as he used to be, the show decided they needed some fresh "eye candy". Well, since nothing gets ladies a-swooning like tall, snide and paste-on mutton chops, (Actually, replace snide with smart-ass and you have my now husband when I first met him. I made him get rid of the mutton chops though.) Quentin Collins was born. Leaving Barnabas to battle him for the ladies attention and forcing him to share the spotlight in all but two of the books that followed Quentin's introduction. Poor, poor Barnabas.

Barnabas Collins Versus The Warlock - Book 11

Barnabas Collins Versus The Warlock by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1969

David Collins and Amy Jennings, two charming,
innocent children are suddenly turned into demons.
At first their pranks only anny Maggie Evans, their
governess. But soon she realizes they have become
malicious, bent on destroying all at Collinwood.

Convinced the children are possessed by a mys-
terious, supernatural power, and frightened for her
life, Maggie turns for help to Barnabas Collins.

Will his power be strong enough to overcome the
evil forces that captured the minds of the children
before they - and Barnabas - are completely at the
mercy of the Devil himself?

BARNABAS COLLINS VERSUS THE WAR
LOCK is the eleventh in a series of thrilling novels
based on ABC-TV's popular suspense drama, DARK
SHADOWS.

The Foe of Barnabas Collins - Book 9

The Foe of Barnabas Collins by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1969

Barnabas befriends lovely Paula Jennings
right after her marriage to strange, mysteri-
ous Christopher Jennings. He feels protective
towards the lovely heiress because he sus-
pects Christopher is the werewolf who has
been ravaging the countryside. When Chris-
topher is joined by Melissa Henry (the rein-
carnation of the evil Angelique), Barnabas is
certain Paula is in terrible danger.

Barnabas knows he can defeat the evil
werewolf. (well, that kind of takes some of the
suspense away) But will his powers be stronger
than those of the beautiful - and deadly -
Angelique?

THE FOE OF BARNABAS COLLINS is
the ninth in a series of thrilling novels based
on ABC-TV's popular suspense drama,
DARK SHADOWS. For a complete list, see
page two of this book.

The Secret of Barnabas Collins - Book 7

The Secret of Barnabas Collins by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1969

Here is another never-before-told story of the
handsome, mysterious 175-year-old vampire.

While searching for the woman who will
replace his long-lost Josette, and thus end
the terrible curse upon him, Barnabas meets
lovely Clare Duncan. The story of their ro-
mance - and of the terror it brings to the beau-
tiful young noblewoman - is a tale of gothi
suspense which will chill and delight the le-
gions of Barnabas Collins' fans.

THE SECRET OF BARNABAS COLLINS is the
seventh in a series of thrilling novels based on ABC -
TV's popular suspense drama, Dark Shadows.
For a complete list, see page two of this book.

What is up with the whole trying to get a girl that "sort of" reminds you of an old girlfriend? How lame can you get? Barnabas really needs to man-up and move on.

Barnabas Collins - Book 6

Barnabas Collins by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1968

Barnabas Collins, the 175-year-old vampire
who has taken the country by storm comes
alive in this new novel of gothic suspense.

Your blood will grow cold as you read the
never-before-told story of the foggy night in
1899 when Barnabas Collins first arrived at
Collinwood. You'll chill to the full horror of
the real truth about Barnabas - a secret so ter-
rible that it could not be revealed until now ...

BARNABAS COLLINS is the sixth in a series of thrilling
novels based on ABC-TV's popular suspense drama,
DARK SHADOWS. For a complete list, see page two
of this book.

More than once in this series of book Barnabas Collins, our sometimes evil, sometimes not, vampires is referred to as "young", his fashion as "mod" and his plastered bangs as "loosely spilling over". Jonathan Frid, the actor who planned Barnabas was already 43 when he began his role as the evil vampires. And not a young 43 either. I can't help but think that Dan Curtis and the bunch might have thought better of it had they known that Barnabas Collins would become so extremely popular as to be made a permit part on the show until its demise. It is hard to believe that this man would have been chased after by so many woman. Must be that vampire mojo.

The Curse of Collinwood - Book 5

The Curse of Collinwood by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1968

Do Zombies Walk at Collinwood?

Upset over the death of Ernest Collins,
Victoria begins to believe that phantoms are
haunting her. Are they figments of her imagi-
nation? As the threats to her life become very
real, she is forced to accept the horrifying
truth.

The strange figures are not phantoms but
the bodies of Derek and Esther Collins, mur-
dered more than a century ago. They were
unwittingly released from their coffins by a
shaft of moonlight - and doomed to roam the
earth as the "living dead."

Nice! For the last couple of years I have read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", the short story by Washington Irving in October but I think this year I may read me a little Marilyn Ross. I have read a couple in the passed and even a several pieces of Dark Shadows Fan Fiction but I think now would be a good time "improve my mind" with some extensive reading.

The Mystery of Collinwood - Book 4

The Mystery of Collinwood by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1968

Victoria stood on the ledge known as Suicide
Cliffs and stared down at the raging surf and
jagged rocks below.

Next to her stood Professor Mark Veno, a
mysterious visitor to Collinwood. He spoke to
her in a low sinister voice. "Think of all those
who threw themselves from these very rocks."
His eyes seemed to burn into hers.

"He's hypnotizing me," she thought. She was
unable to make herself look away. "No," she
cried. "He's forcing me to jump!"

The Professor came a step closer, his eyes still
glowing.

Victoria found herself unable to move - unable
to speak. She was helpless as she felt her will-
power dissolve under his evil spell ....

Victoria Winters not only seems to have very little in the way of good judgment, but she seems to be a bit on the simple side. Not my first choice for a Governess.

Dark Shadows - Book 1

Dark Shadows by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1966

Despite warnings from the townspeople,
Victoria Winters accepts the offer to come to
the strange Collins House as governess. For
some curious reason she feels the secret of her
past may be uncovered in the bleak manor
high on Widow's Hill.

From the moment she arrives, Victoria
becomes the target of someone in the house
determined to destroy her.

As the wind moans and the rain lashes
around the isolated Collins House, Victoria,
without friends in the manor, feels death close
in on her, a choking, frightening death.

Watch for VICTORIA WINTERS the next in this great series by Marilyn Ross

Wow, I am such a big fan of the television show that I find if hard to poke fun at the books. I'm reading this back cover and thinking ... yes, yes ... this sounds GREAT!